Jotham tells a parable to the men of Shechem criticizing their decision to make Abimelech their leader. In the parable, various trees refuse the offer to become king over the other trees because being king would distract them from their important tasks of providing fruit, oil, and wine. Finally, the bramble bush agrees to be king and warns that if the trees do not trust in its rule, it will destroy them with fire, just as Abimelech will destroy the men of Shechem if they do not fully support his rule. Jotham then flees for fear of retaliation from Abimelech.